Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and plenty of Mandarin and Cantonese pop songs in between... It could easily pass as a radio playlist in China, except this is the latest blacklist issued by the Chinese government.

In a notice posted on its homepage, the ministry of culture has ordered all websites – including personal ones – to remove 100 “unapproved or unregistered” music tracks by September 15, or face punishment.

“Certain websites have been allowing users to play, listen to and download the listed songs,” the ministry declared. “Such actions have disturbed the online music market order and endangered national cultural safety.”

While songs performed by Chinese-language singers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia dominate the roster, works of Western and Japanese stars make the list an eclectic mix.

Top-selling Gaga leads the pack with more banned tracks than any other listed artist. Six songs from her last album “Born This Way” ran afoul with the authorities: “The Edge of Glory,” “Hair,” “Marry the Night,” “Americano,” “Judas” and “Bloody Mary.” The title track itself was already banned in a previous sweep.

Perry has two songs – “E.T.” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” – condemned, with Beyoncé's “Run the World (Girls)” and Britney Spears' “Burning Up” rounding up the diva section.

Other Western titles include songs by British band Take That and Canadian rockers Simple Plan.

Then there is “I Want It That Way,” a 12-year-old hit by Backstreet Boys.

The latest blacklist marks the third time the ministry has clamped down on foreign songs since it began regulating music on the Internet two years ago. Earlier casualties included songs by Avril Lavigne, Eminem, Kylie Minogue and Christina Aguilera.

The ministry requires all imported digital tracks to be translated into Chinese and filed with the government for approval before online distribution. It said in 2009 that such rules were aimed at addressing the issues of “poor taste and vulgar content.”

While Gaga’s “Judas” deals with religion - a sensitive topic in China – and Perry’s “Last Friday Night” mentions drunken three-way sex, most songs on the latest list are benign Chinese love ballads, and many Western choices are hardly racy.

The seemingly random selection has baffled – or even enraged – singers and fans across China.

“My songs don’t talk about politics or religion – how are they able to endanger national cultural safety?” Hins Cheung – a Hong Kong singer who has three of his songs blacklisted – complained on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.

“This ban is really over the top,” echoed Jesslon Liu, a college student and devout Gaga fan. “But the authorities have never liked Gaga’s songs or style for ideological reasons.”

Liu added that Gaga fans in China don’t expect to see their idol hold concerts, which also require the cultural ministry’s blessing, in the mainland anytime soon.

Amid the public backlash, officials have tried to frame their decision in the context of protecting intellectual property rights.

“Our targets this time are online music products that we have not registered or reviewed,” the cultural ministry said in a written statement to CNN. “They don’t necessarily contain illegal content.”

All legality aside, the ministry’s new blacklist has inadvertently put a spotlight on some old pop songs, with many Chinese netizens sarcastically thanking the government for its recommendations.

“The most ridiculous pick has got to be Backstreet Boy’s ‘I Want It That Way’ from 1999,” a user named “KeyboardChan” said on Weibo.

“I have been singing it at karaoke for 12 years – have I been a cultural terrorist for that long? Now I really want to sing this line from the song: Tell me why – ain’t nothing but a mistake.”

soundoff(162 Responses)

Krish

Well, chinese can do what they want. Just hope they know the costs of government regulating what they can and cannot listen to. In India, we'd never let this happen and same thing in America. But I guess if they're happy with it, why not?

hey that's stupid
taiwan government has stopped doing that for like 20 yrs
taiwan can, why can't china?
because "Chinese people" don't know how to fight against their government !
it's their right ! and of course, communist government doesn't fit in the 21st century!

please stop showcasing lady gaga on your programs. I don't like foxNews and i want to be able to hear about what's going on around the world.

But, when you're showing a story of people suffering in somalia, it's sickening to see captions plugging some generic, quasi talented pop-star. However much they are paying for the cnn ad space, it's disgusting, and it should stop.

That means, western music sucks! it is full of junk! Its artists are near nervous breakdown with so much hate. Don't blame the chinese, blame your western culture ( if you have one). At least the chinese have the guts to say no to western junks. I hope all of Asia follows.

So it's OK for the Chinese to steal U.S. technology but it's not OK for them to listen to our pop music? Their values are so warped! Why don't they ban U.S. technology? U.S. is bad for China. Ban it all you Chinese idiots!

The chinese communist party's propaganda ministry hired an army of people to comment on articles and videos saying things in favor of the chinese communist party. They get paid the equivalent of 50 cents per favorable comment. Just ignore them, every time you reply to their ridiculous comments you're donating 50 cents to them.

Check out the wikipedia article on the "50 cent party" (that's how they are called) here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_Cent_Party

5 US Cent – you are a shameless US agent pushing US propaganda
So anyone that support any action from China must be from 50 cent party?
I for one is not a member of this god damm 50 cent party
But in this case I agree with China...than u must label me a china roboton.
You are a shameless 5 US cent member...you are oppressive, propagandistic and you stink

Okay.As a adolescent living in China,I should say this stupid banlist bothering me a lot and I have been hearing backstreet for a decade.you guys should know the truth there are just antiques woking in the ministery,they are arrogant and parochial on the modern things.It's plausible considering their views and sights.Nevetheless we generation are neck and neck with you and when we begin to be hosts of china,we know how to deal well.
China don't have to gain acclaim or consent from other countries,all you can do is just watching and waiting for the rising of orient.

Well, the media puts too much emphasis on this sort of thing, when it really does not need to. The government "banning" is going to be limited to sites that are otherwise legally distributing songs... which there are very few in China. Most every site that has playlist offerings, in China, are made up of songs linked to external and private sites (like any MP3 search Engine). In other words... the ban has no affect whatsoever.

Let's put it this way... intellectual property theft is the basis for entertainment in China. Trying to selectively ban any portion of a criminal enterprise that is already state endorsed and state fostered ... is like trying to ban blonde hair dye while the government is paying the people to produce peroxide.

...I could care less if the Red Chinese government bans ANYTHING Western...Look at the devastation of their "revolution", 20+ million citizens massacred for communism(really BS, it was a power grab by politicos and friends and family, simple corruption, to make them wealthy and powerful as they are today.)

But tide is turning and Western music will grumble the Bamboo Curtain just like it melted the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union!!!

I challenge both of you to post as many times as you can before the day ends. I may or may not check to see if you've done that... winner gets... choice of the following: lifetime supply of doo-doo, lifetime supply of water because you tend to be "firsty", or a life.

Oh yeah, wouldn't want to morally corrupt the working children of communist China... I'm sure most American businessmen (who exploit these children) are just fine with this cultural ban. Mustn't allow these "workers" to be exposed to the rest of the civilized world, they may not work as hard for their record profits. God Bless American Capitalism!

As silly as this sounds, as I like neither of these pop artists, Lady Gaga is an 'export' and touring entertainment is a form of trade. Entertainment is one of US export products that China refuses to acknowledge. And therefore China further undermines trade.

HEY WHATS WRONG WITH "RADY GAGA" OR THE "BACKSTLEET BOYS"? CHECK TO SEE IF THEIR INSTRUMENTS ARE MADE IN CHINA LIKE ALL THE OTHER CRAP THAT COMES OUT OF THESE GODFORSAKEN FACTORIES. SCREW THE CHINESE!!!

Marlboro man, that is quite hysterical. it is no shocker that the world is a GIANT HYPOCRIT!!! Cyberspace is one great example of that, whether we love it, hate it, or obsess it. and to PaulMc, i agree with you wholeheartedly, it is old news that should have NEVER been news in the first place.

I could see kooky Gaga, but the BACKSTREET BOYS?????? I Love them! And I'm 45 years old 🙂 What did they ever do to be banned. I've heard them live. They are awesome – completely talented and not vulgar and bizarre like Gaga!

well well cyberruffians, i see that you are further dividing yourselves like cavemen and dinosaurs. it is none of our business what the Chinese government says their culture bans or dosent ban, i honestly dont see why they would advertise it here in america, simply because it bashes those few artists that have been affected. HINT HOLLYWOOD, its BAD publicity! now if you dont mind, go waste your time remaking some film that you dig out of a time capsule. GOODBYE, SO LONG, ARVIDERSEN, ADIEU, FAREWELL and most of all DONT HATE, APPRECIATE! THANKS CYBERSPACE!

When is the US going to start banning China's crap that fills nearly all of our department stores and then some? I'd say that it's like economic terrorism ... too bad though that are filthy rich job creators have no problem with so many goods being manufactured from there.

that's like asking when is America going to become self-efficient again,realize that the govt. overpays their state and federal workers, spend too much on war and too little to help our own? Don't forget, China owns like 70% of the us for they have lent us so much money to keep our "smoke and mirrors" non-resession economy going!

When you were an infant, in your crib, you'd cry and cry and cry.
And mommy never came to pick you up.
So now, you post idiocy, in your desperate search for attention.

You probably have an oversized crib in your liviing room, and inside it you sit at your computer, deluding yourself that what you are posting is 'funny' or 'unique' and that it will somehow get people to pay attention to you.

Clearly when you were born and left the hospital you forgot to bring your brain home with you. Get a life, you're pathetic and ignorant and stupid. And you can't spell. I've seen posts by you, and judging by those you flunked out of 3rd grade.

I used to be an advocate for the 1st amendment, but with the likes of Lady Gaga, Katey Perry, Rap artists and the such, I say China is doing a good thing and maybe America should adopt such practices. There is a time and place for everythig, but the USA media (such as CNN >+) ) loves to show things like Lady GAGA in drag on morning and day time TV–which does nothing but expose children to such erie acts.

China is trying to keep their country moral and not expose poeple to mainstream garbage....BRAVO!

Wow, they are much more relaxed than the USA. Here, if someone finds out you're listening to or downloading music online, you're liable to get a cease and desist and a fine. Doesn't matter what Western song it is, post it on Youtube or make it available to download and face the wrath of the "Free Market".

Now, if it's a song or video from Hong Kong or Taiwan, no big deal, those litter Youtube.

Everyday I think the religious right and china are one in the same. CHINA is the religious rights Utopia country. Down to the 91.5% of the country is of one ethnic background. I mean its like heaven on earth for them.

As Chinese citizens become wealthier, they will naturally demand more freedom, and more democracy. This is why the Chinese government is terrified of the slippery slope it is on. I'm afraid it will all end very badly for the Chinese government. They cannot continue to oppress their people forever.

It won't happen so long as the ponzi scheme is going up. Should the system break down and you don't see as much growth which is already starting. That's when you're going to see people demand change. Most revolutions don't start when your making money they start when your start declining.

Wrong. China's history goes back thousands of years with a central authority in control, whether it be an Emperor or a Communist Government means little. The people look upon their government as a guiding force and there is little outright discussion of politics as we might voice here in the states. I find it somewhat frustrating when I am in China that to a person they do not want to get in to political discussion or theory. For this ancient culture life goes on and having food on the table and good health is the overwhelming desire. I have the sense here that most people posting think that China and its people think the same way as Americans, and that their economic status might provoke revolution. That is far from true. My Chinese wife laughs at this conceit.

I know some of you fans don't like to hear it, but Katie Perry and Gaga's music are a little out there for the young mind. They're fine for adults, but seriously for young kids, they're pretty bad influence.

the picture is really scary. that's the ugliest thing i've seen in a long time. at least it has its voice going for it. that's about it. they should have pulled a milli vanilli on this one. have it sing in the background while a singer who doesn't scare small children is the face person... i here Pat from saturday night live might be availalbe.

Ralph Macchio made a come back–as Lady Gaga~ Katey Perry made a statement that her music is chessey with her hat all on the VMAs. Britney Spears gets the VMA Vanguard award? Please! Her videos are junk! Guess they forgot about Rob Zombie and person that writes and performs his own songs and produces his own videos. Instead, tehy give it to a mickey mouse club psycho that rides with her kids in a car without safety restraints, and seems to either starve herself or pukes her meals 2 weeks before she needs to go on TV to get slim! These female "pop stars" of today are pathetic!

For real??? There are so many talented singer/songwriters and you pick strictly radio rock fake? Gosh, I would SOOOOOOOO much rather have Brittany Spears latest album on repeat than listen to even one song by that guy..... jeez if you are going to try and say someone's better at least pick someone with some sort of talent.

What's the difference between that country and ours? Our country almost went the way of China under the Bush Administration. Reporters weren't allowed to photgraph our soldiers when they came back in coffins. Remember the Dixie Chicks? After one of them expressed her opinion, they were run out of the music scene. How many states have banned certain books because they didn't agree with them?

If Chinese citizens spoke out like Dixie Chicks against their government, they would be in jail or house arrest. Don't you remember Tianamen square protest in 1989? Protesters got shot from the army tanks.

omg really... you really believe the western media saying there was a massacre and hundreds of thousands of people died? Guess what... members of my family lived through it... there was no massacre... most people who actually died are soldiers who tried to keep peace.... do your research... ambassadors from other countries who were in beijing at the time said there was no massacre... stop believing everything you hear on television and news... its all biased bullcrap

" Your government lacks any legitimacy when it does frivolous crap like this."

Have you noticed that films and music lyrics are rated right here in the USA? Is that any different? It isn't frivolous, it's the central authority doing their job, whether we in the land of "freedom of speech" like it or not. Take my word for this...it's a lot less intrusive going through an airport in China than it is here in the states. They do NOT invade your personal space. Or steal your stuff out of your suitcase.

Been to China many times, my wife being native. This will not stop music distribution. It's an official announcement that will be, like most pronouncements from Beijing, ignored. Most Americans think of China as a couple of billion suppressed people. Try to remember this: China is not America. Yes we are fortunate in so many ways, but so are people in China. They just live a different type of life where the central power attempts to control as much as possible. But this has changed dramatically in the last 20 years or so. The main point being that the internet has opened the great Chinese people to the outside world, for better and for worse. I have seen drastic changes in the youth of China. They are no longer the respectful young people they once were. They try to be "American" as in "cool." At least it's that way in the large cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenyang and so on. Not street punks as much as smart a$$, where they no longer respect their parents as they once did. So in not too many years their access to American and Western culture will surely change China and not particularly for the better.

America is polluting other countries with their ego-driven, selfish, rude, crude ways and additudes. One thing that China needs to do is put a reign on their pollution. The good that China has going for them is their beautiful culture, art, food and their population is 1/3 Christian. That's why they are now starting to surpass the USA. You can't accomplish NOTHING without faith in God.

Alan, there's a flip side to that. I realize being the rebellions "be like an American" thing with their youth has its downside, but that may also carry into them being gutsy enough to throw off the yoke of centralized govt. oppression at some point. We can only hope.

Teddy, you said "The good that China has going for them is their beautiful culture, art, food and their population is 1/3 Christian. That's why they are now starting to surpass the USA. You can't accomplish NOTHING without faith in God."

That is the single most ignorant comment I have ever seen. Carl Sagan was an atheist, and his CV of accomplishments runs more than 700 pages. This single fact disproves your statement.

Now I feel proud that my book is on the banned list in China. At least I have asked the Chinese to look in mirror and admit that the Cultural Revolution was a home made Holocaust. As long as China denies officialy the existence of such a catastrophe, it could happen again.

Backstreet Boys do not fit into the same catagory as Lady Gaga or Katie Perry. And, really these songs have been around since the 90s, at least most of them, so really how slow is China? They are just hearing them now?

I wonder if 'Banned in China' will be as effective a marketing tool as the old 'Banned in Boston' was?

For those too young to know this, the city of Boston used to (and I'm talking until 1965) ban books, movies, music, and plays it considered objectionable. Libraries could not carry them, nor could they be sold or played in the city. Publishers picked up on this and advertised books and movies (in particular) as 'Banned in Boston', ensuing everyone wanted to read/see them.

Thus, banning these songs just makes people want to hear them all the more!